Yet these parents who lost their only child -- a girl with curly brown hair, big brown eyes and a wise, irresistible smile -- have tapped into their livelihoods as scientists to do more than mourn.

They have become the ambassadors of Avielle's legacy, one that seeks to improve the diagnosis of violent tendencies. Through Avielle's Foundation, the couple is raising money to conduct brain research into the roots of violence.

The couple's intent is to advance this research so it becomes the catalyst for treatment and prevention of future tragedies such as the one they and 25 other Sandy Hook Elementary School families cope with.

Their fundraising goal is $5 million.

The four-month anniversary of the Sandy Hook school shooting was Sunday, "and I miss Avie more every day,'' Richman said during a telephone interview, as he paused to calm the emotions connected to this initiative, started a month after the couple buried their daughter.

"On (Dec.) 14th, after Avielle's murder, we were obviously destroyed,'' said Richman, a senior fellow and research project leader at Boehringer-Ingelheim Corp. where he specializes in developing pharmacology for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. His wife is a medical writer with a contract with companies focused on oncology research and pharmaceuticals. "In our sorrow, we were asking why, and we wanted to answer the question.''

After every mass shooting, Richman said, there appears to be the same trifecta -- a focus on gun-control laws, safety procedures for schools and other public places, and mental health.

"Playing to our strengths, we wanted to look into the brain-health arena, and distinguish that from mental health that has such a huge umbrella and carries such stigma, fear and uncertainty about what that means,'' Richman said.

Not all people with brain illnesses are violent, yet there are brain pathologies that can lead to violent behavior, Richman said.

The science into the origins of violence " has been appallingly neglected by federal funding agencies that support research to improve the health and safety of taxpayers,'' Moffitt said in a statement.

"Through the Avielle Foundation, the families of victims of violence can demand more and better research and make it happen. Violence accounts for far more economic costs than disorders now attracting more research investment by our federal funding agencies. In fact, the U.S. budget for research into violent crime is only a miniscule fraction of the health research budget, although violence destroys many more young lives,'' she said.

The enthusiasm and commitment they have garnered from so many, including these top professionals, is "what gets me out of bed every day,'' Richman said.

First Selectman Pat Llodra lauded the research because, "If we can't predict, we can't intervene,'' she said.

"If we are going to have a safer, saner, kinder, gentler future for all of our society, we need to figure out why it is we had events such as we had on Dec. 14,'' Llodra said. "I'm really glad that Jeremy and Jen are putting their efforts in this direction ... It's wonderful.''